Black and white is the easiest two-colour costume to pull off. Stripes, face paint and a mask turn a wardrobe basic into a character, and the high contrast photographs well.
These are 9 black and white costume ideas from movies, TV, games and everyday life. Each pick lists the key pieces, and the button under it opens the full guide with a shopping list.
9 black and white costume ideas
1. Beetlejuice
A black and white striped blazer and matching striped pants over a white dress shirt, with black boots, a messy white wig and zombie teeth.
What you will need:
- Striped blazer and pants, white shirt, black boots, white wig, zombie teeth, face paint
2. Cruella de Vil
A black evening dress under a big white faux fur coat, with long red gloves, red heels and pearls. The black-and-white two-tone wig is the key piece.
What you will need:
- Black evening dress, white fur coat, red gloves, red heels, pearls, two-tone wig
3. Jack Skellington
A black suit with white pinstripes over a white dress shirt, with black Oxfords. A skeleton head set or white face paint finishes the Pumpkin King.
What you will need:
- Pinstripe suit, white shirt, black Oxfords, skeleton head set or white paint
4. Ghostface (Scream)
A black robe with black gloves and boots and the white Ghostface mask. A toy knife and a voice changer finish it.
What you will need:
- Ghostface mask, black robe, black gloves, black boots, toy knife, voice changer
5. The Crow
A black leather shirt, pants and trench coat with combat boots and a black wig. Black and white face paint makes it the Crow.
What you will need:
- Leather shirt, leather pants, trench coat, combat boots, black wig, black and white face paint
6. Mime
A white striped shirt with dark pants, black boots, white gloves and a beret. White face paint and a red scarf finish the street performer.
What you will need:
- Striped shirt, dark pants, black boots, white gloves, beret, white face paint
7. Referee
A black and white striped shirt with black shorts, striped socks and a cap. Carry a whistle.
What you will need:
- Striped shirt, black shorts, striped socks, cap, whistle
8. Skunk
A black long-sleeved shirt and black pants with a white stripe cut from towels, plus a tail and ears. Onesies exist for kids and babies.
What you will need:
- Black shirt and pants, white towel stripe, tail and ears
9. Milk and Cookie
A black tee and leggings or dark jeans with black and white sneakers, and a milk apron tunic. Carry a glass milk bottle. It works as a couples costume.
What you will need:
- Black tee, dark jeans or leggings, black and white sneakers, milk apron, milk bottle
Wearing black and white? Make it stand out
Black and white relies on contrast, so keep both colours crisp: a bright white shirt or mask against matte black. Stripes and face paint are the fastest way to add character, and a single prop (a knife, a whistle or a milk bottle) makes the idea clear.
Want a different colour? Try Black, Red, Pink, Orange, Blue, Green, Purple, Yellow, White, Gold, Silver, Rainbow, Neon, Brown.
